For Rahane, an unfinished business awaits in Kolkata

He proved himself as India skipper in Australia; IPL will provide a different opportunity as leader

- Somshuvra Laha

KOLKATA: Rarely has Ajinkya Rahane been a first-choice captain, but he has unfailingly been a leader. A glowing episode in Indian cricket is the 2018 tour of South Africa where Rahane top-scored in the second innings of the Johannesburg win after he was left out of the first two Tests despite being vice-captain. Australia 2020-21 started as a nightmare with India hurtling to ignominy after being 36 all out, only for Rahane to take over captaincy at MCG next up and score a match-winning hundred. He then led the team to the miracle at Gabba, then quietly conceding centre stage to Virat Kohli, who had gone home after Adelaide.

Out of international cricket for over 20 months after the selectors turned the page on him and then be asked out of nowhere to lead IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) this season, it feels like a punt.